The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-06-18
CHAPTER II

cannot better describe the creature VINO
caused me such intense fright than by say
ing he was a man with lions face.
Stamped on every feature was that strange
resemblance; likeness SO striking that the
mere recollection, even after the lapse of
so many years, is sufficient to cause cold
shudder to run through my body.
The greater part of his face was con-
cealed by an abundance Of tawny hair
matted together in inextricable confusion.
Tangled locks of the same color fell down
almost as far as his shoulders Deep fur
rows round his mouth and wide, fiat nos
trils increased the feeling of disgust and
fear produced by the rows of prominent
teeth and little bloodshot eyes. Individu-
ally his features might not possibly have
attracted any unusual notice; but, takeR
collectively, the most cursory observer
would have been Immediately impressed
with the strange likeness. He was man
Of herculean stature, yet the different parts
of his body were so Symmetrical, and bore
such perfect proportion to one another that
he did not appear in the least degree awk'
ward or ungainly. His majestic height
and magnificent physique, with the proud
head well poised upon pair of broad
shoulders, would have delighted the heart
of an artist. Perhaps before indulgence,
exposure, and hardship had stamped them
selves indelibly upon his countenanee, the
features might not have been so repulsive,
but on the night | saw him that strange
combination Of agonized yearning, deceit,
and ferocity can only be characterized by
that opprobious word.
Once, in a menagerie, saw lion
crouching over the mangled, bleeding body
of his keeper, whom he had killed in 1T
of anger. And the look ofthat man, as he
gazed into my face, as if he would read my
very thoughts, instantly recalled to my
mind the expression Of that lions face,
when some adventurous spirit dragged away
the remains of the unfortunate keeper.
am only too conscious that my descrip.
ton does not properly convey an idea of
that man as he appeared to me. But you
must take into consideration the whole cir
cumstances of our meeting-the late hour,
the solitude, the suddenness of the encount-
er, the state of my nerves after such an
evening of surprises-before you pass any
harsh Judgment on my conduct
In point Of fact, that encounter had q
deeper effect upon me than would be i'm
agined. A fright, however severe, soon
loses its terror, and the lapse of time gem
orally brings oblivion. But as the days
passed the effects Of the shock | had ex
perienced seemed to increase; night and
day that mans face hovered before my
eyes, shaping itself into thousand hideous
contortions. He seemed to have acquired
an influence over me which | could not
shake off, and no measure that L adopted
had the effect of dissipating the feeling
| had called about dozen times at Mrs.
Rossiter's house since that memorable even
ing. To all outward appearance she was
quite restored to healthy SO | felt compelled
to state that in future my services could be
dispensed with. But this strange woman
persisted that she was still far from well,
and begged me so eagerly to continue my
visits that consented. To tell the truth,
l should have been sorry if the acquaint
ance had ceased, There was saWething
about this woman and the general tone Of
the house which excited my curiosity, and
| quite looked forward to penetrating the
mystery.
About that time | beclme anxious about
my health. Never robust, lately l had be
come-chiehy, 1 think, through the shock
of that hideous mans appearance and the
strange manner in which his presence had
haunted me-self-conscious, weak, and ir
ritable. | started at the slightest noise
and could not settle down to my work al
ALL
Mrs. Rossiter herself was an enigma
She appeared to be always in state Of
nervous tension; always on the alert; alway:
expecting something or somebody, ant
never having those expectations realized
| have seen her for an hour or two at {
time sitting erect and motionless and list
ening-always listening with an intensity
which she did not attempt to conceal Nc
reference to her strange behavior on oul
first meeting had ever passed between us
and was not quite certain whether she
was conscious of what had taken place.
The relations between mother and daugh
ter were far from friendly Miss RossiteI
was certainly not wanting in affection ant
respect, but every sign of feeling was a
once checked by her mother with a harsh
ness that could only have been prompted
by dislike. And later on discovered tha
Mrs. Rossiter not only disliked but hatec
her daughter. Here was another mattel
for surprise l could not but be sorry fol
Miss Rossiter, and, in my desire to show
my sympathy, perhaps paid her more at
tention than | should otherwise have done
Her mother seemed to approve of my con
duct, for she took every opportunity o
throwing us together, and made point O
leaving us alone as much as possible.
As the months passed by my visits be
came more and more frequent. Now, {
man does not usually call at house foui
times week merely for the sake of seeing
and holding converse with an elderly lady
And, in point of fact, did not attempt tC
disguise the real purport of my visits.
found in Miss Rossiter that complement o
my nature which Mr. Grant Allen assure.
US should be the only motive for falling il
love- 1t is not my intention to weary yol
with an analysis of my feelings or histor,
of our coqFtship. It has nothing to d
with my story, and could never under
stand how any people, save the parties en-
gagged, could feel much interest in sucl
matters My attentions did not seem dis
tasteful to Miss Rossiter, and found thai
as my interest in this girl increased, m.
interest in the mystery ! wished to pene
trate diminished.
1 will pass quickly over those halcyoI
days-the dawn of our love-and hasten oil
to an event that occurred shortly after Mis-
Rossiter had promised to become my wife
We were standing late one evening in tn
little front parlor of their house, exchang
ing heightened goodbye. Our hand
! were clasped and was bending down t.